On Wednesday evening at Skidmore College, Deena Kastor, Olympic Medalist and American Marathon and Half-Marathon Record-Holder attended the Firecracker 4 Training session.
A talk was given before the speed workout on the college’s athletic track.
Erica Miller - The Saratogian

On Wednesday evening in preparation for the Firecracker 4 at Skidmore College gym Deena Kastor, Olympic Medalist and American Marathon and†Half-Marathon Record-Holder attended the Firecracker 4 Training session.
Erica Miller - The Saratogian

Saratoga Springs >> “This town is known for horse racing, but the real thoroughbreds are sitting right here in the stands today,” Olympic medalist and American record holder Deena Kastor told a crowd of runners at Skidmore College Wednesday.

This was one of many messages the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics bronze medalist relayed to local runners throughout a seminar Wednesday afternoon. Kastor, a California native, stopped in Saratoga after visiting other cities on the east coast to talk about the importance running plays in a community.

“I feel like the community here is so strong from a running standpoint and I realize the benefits of running, for not just a healthy lifestyle, but a successful life,” Kastor said. “Seeing the number of runners that come out of this community, I was really looking forward to coming out here and connecting and seeing how we can grow on an already strong running community.”

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Thanks to Charlie Woodruff, the co-owner of Fleet Feet Sports, and the shoe brand, Asics, Kastor was able to come to Saratoga and not just speak to local runners, but go through a speed workout with the athletes as well. The speed workout included a warm-up, six 800 meter runs with two minutes of rest in-between sets and a cooldown.

“(Discussions about today) started last Nov. 1,” Woodruff said. “We got really serious with the conversation and wanted to bring a supporting vendor in, and Asics has always been very strong in Saratoga. They were very receptive to the idea and we had a meeting and decided how we wanted to handle this.

“The conversation of an athlete came up and Damian Mccusker, who’s the national sales manager for Asics suggested Deena Kastor and how do you say no to that,” Woodruff continued. “Today turned out beautifully.”

Not only did Fleet Feet Sports and Asics play a role in having Kastor come speak to local runners, but race co-directors Peter Goutos and Bob Vanderminden of the Firecracker 4 played a major role in the organization of the seminar as well. The four mile road race will be held for the eighth straight year on July 4, and this year Goutos and Vanderminden are expecting 4,000 runners. This year’s proceeds from the Firecracker 4 go to the Saratoga Springs High School indoor and outdoor track and field and Cross Country, Saratoga Regional YMCA, and Saratoga Springs Greenbelt Trail Project.

The Greenbelt Trail Project plays an important role in the construction and maintenance of the running trails in Saratoga.

“The Greenbelt (Trail Project) is building and will build 18 miles of connective trails in Saratoga Springs,” Goutos said. “We’re connecting all of our existing trails and we’re adding new ones.”

According to Kastor, one of the best ways to keep the Saratoga community strong from a running standpoint is to maintain the running trails throughout Saratoga.

“Making sure their trail systems are continuing to be maintained and improved upon, which looks like is happening, making sure tracks are being opened to the public, after school ours of course, and then having great business like Fleet Feet that are outfitting the community and are giving them the best products available to be able to keep people up and running and keep people healthy (is extremely important,)” said the 2006 London marathon winner. “I feel like the community here already has what it takes, it’s just making sure that we’re maintaining and recruiting people for this great sport.

“One step forward is progress and I believe the community is well on their way and it’s just our job to continue to grow that running community.”

The University of Arkansas grad captivated the gymnasium throughout her 45 minute seminar, relaying many messages to the audience full of runners of all ages, but none more important than to run with a purpose everyday.

“I am very goal oriented and sometimes we forget about our goals,” Kastor said. “But I have an index card that I put on the inside of my bathroom mirror and it has some life goals and running goals up there. I think a lot of times because you frequent the bathroom mirror to brush your teeth a couple times a day or to wash your face, that it’s a reminder to me about what that day is about and how I can structure my choices. I think having a purpose driven day is very important and a lot of times just an index card with that reminder is all we need to make sure we’re making the right choices.”

After Kastor’s seminar, it was clear to Woodruff, that the marathon runner’s message rubbed off on many of the runners in the audience.

“I’ve heard 10 people since the (seminar) say that they were having a lull in their running and that they’ve just been inspired to try new things,” Woodruff said. “There’s five people out on the track right now that weren’t going to do the workout tonight, they just came to listen and now they’re on the track warming up. If you project that into the masses of people that run and the potential impact that she or somebody of her status could have, it’s big.”